Vista Review May 7-14

[cruisefanatic2713]

Hey all!

 

I'm about a week late but considering the amount of research and forum reading I did before our cruise, I find it only fitting to give my two cents on how our sailing went for you all to dissect how you will!

 

For a little background, I am a 26 year old nurse and my travel buddy is my mom, a recently retired teacher. This was a last minute cruise that I convinced her to go on with me for Mother's Day. We booked in late March for a ridiculously good deal if I do say so myself. 😉  We've both been on four other cruises. This will be the second time on Carnival for the pair of us.

 

We would be driving (what is normally a 4 1/2 hr drive from south Louisiana). We received word from Carnival the night before that the ship would be delayed arriving and all embarkation would be held off two hours. Plus, they mentioned "heavy traffic delays" between Houston and Galveston on I-95 so we decided to take an alternate route via the ferry. All in all, we left at the same time we initially planned and our trip ended up being 5 1/2 hours. Not too bad. We arrived at 11:30 to the EZ cruise parking and made our way to the terminal. It was noon by now and from what we saw, there were more people debarking than waiting to embark. We got in line and were inside getting our Verifly checked 20 minutes after. No issues with that and we headed up the escalators to the main check in desk.

 

This is where we had issues. As our passports were expired and had to be sent in two weeks prior, we were without passports. We had to rely on our ENHANCED driver's licenses. I had done all the research I needed to be sure that we did not need birth certificates. The check in people disagreed and said everyone is required to have a birth certificate to board and that we would be denied boarding until we got pictures of our birth certificates. I showed them proof on multiple different sites including carnival.com and the Galveston cruise port website that one needs EITHER a birth certificate, military ID or enhanced driver's license to board the ship if you do not have a passport. They repeatedly ignored the obvious proof in front of them and required up to go off to the side in a waiting area to get pictures of our birth certificates. Soooo we reluctantly called my dad who was across town from our house where the birth certificate were. He went back to the house and snapped pictures for us. We owe him a big one! After the desk lady received the picture we waited another hour for our room to be" unlocked" and allowed us to board.

 

It was 2pm when we stepped onto the ship and we were determined to put all that behind us and get on vacation mode! Luckily for us, that was the only issue we had the entire cruise. We went directly to the lido marketplace for lunch, YUM, then headed down to our cabin. Even though they didn't start boarding anyone til 1pm, all rooms were ready at 1:30 and when we got down to our room around 2:30, our luggage was already waiting for us! We unpacked, got settled, went to muster and went out to explore the ship! Of an on throughout the afternoon we got updates from our AHHHHMAZING CD KYNDALL FIRE (more on her later) that due to the traffic, we wouldn't set sail til 7:30. She assured everyone that it would not affect our first port as we had two sea days ahead of us to make up time!

 

We enjoyed watching the Kentucky Derby before our first dinner (earlier in the day we were able to switch from late time dining to any time dining) in the Horizons Dining Room (3 and 4 aft). Most all the food we ate in the MDR was very good. We found service to be slower when we went to eat after 6:45ish and the quality of food seemed better when eating earlier. Nonetheless, using the Carnival HUB app to check in was not a problem at all and the longest we waiting for a table was the first formal night. Even that wait was only 10 minutes! The first night was the only night we were seated in a different spot than the other 5 days we ate in the MDR. We really liked this aspect as this was one concern we had of trying Anytime Dining for the first time. We always enjoy having the same wait staff that gets to know us and vice versa during the cruise. In fact, we didn't even have to ask to be seated in the same spot. It must be an automatic thing in the system. Anytime Dining worked very well for us and we have no complaints!

 

We headed out to the Liquid Lounge (4 and 5 forward) for the first big Welcome Show. It's here that we were introduced to Kyndall FIIIIRREEE, BOM BOM BOM! There's only so many words I can say about someone before it gets redundant but suffice to say, Kyndall is the most outgoing, bubbly, joyous, charismatic, HILARIOUS person I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Yes, I said person, not cruise director! Maybe it's because we are very close in age and I am envious of someone who clearly loves her job so much, or the fact that she lets her huge personality light up any room when she walks in, but really truly, she made every aspect of our cruise better! On previous cruises, I never remember CD's, their faces, names, nothing; but I assuredly will never forget Kyndall! My mom and I both agree we will try our hardest to get on at least another of her ships in the future. 

 

Okie dokie. I think that's all for now. My goal is the post one cruise day review each day and hopefully life won't get in the way of that. I'm looking forward to any comments y'all may have!

 

okay bye

[dharmapath]

Not to be rude but that font is unreadable. 

[Tippyton]

¡¡¡ɹǝpun uʍop sǝᴉssn∀ ǝsoɥʇ llɐ ʇnoqɐ ʞuᴉɥʇ 'pɐǝɹ oʇ pɹɐɥ sᴉ ʇuoɟ ǝɥʇ ʞuᴉɥʇ noʎ ɟI

[Bgwest]

I’m guessing your review is interesting. 
Are you able to repost in a conventional font?

[Joe817]

8 minutes ago, Bgwest said:

I’m guessing your review is interesting. 
Are you able to repost in a conventional font?

I find the font very easy to read.

[icft]

3 hours ago, cruisefanatic2713 said:

               *                            *                                *

 

 

This is where we had issues. As our passports were expired and had to be sent in two weeks prior, we were without passports. We had to rely on our ENHANCED driver's licenses. I had done all the research I needed to be sure that we did not need birth certificates. The check in people disagreed and said everyone is required to have a birth certificate to board and that we would be denied boarding until we got pictures of our birth certificates. I showed them proof on multiple different sites including carnival.com and the Galveston cruise port website that one needs EITHER a birth certificate, military ID or enhanced driver's license to board the ship if you do not have a passport. They repeatedly ignored the obvious proof in front of them and required up to go off to the side in a waiting area to get pictures of our birth certificates. Soooo we reluctantly called my dad who was across town from our house where the birth certificate were. He went back to the house and snapped pictures for us. We owe him a big one! After the desk lady received the picture we waited another hour for our room to be" unlocked" and allowed us to board.

 

 

Thanks for the review. I look forward the the future installments.

 

Your need for a birth certificate was due to you NOT having "enhanced" driver's licenses. Louisiana does not issue enhanced driver's licenses; it issues either regular driver's licenses or Real ID driver's licenses.

 

Only five states issue enhanced driver's licenses. See:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enhanced_driver's_license

[Guest BasicSailor]

2 minutes ago, Joe817 said:

I find the font very easy to read.

As I do, but this site really offers too many fonts to bewilder folks. It's the software.😁

[cruisefanatic2713]

Is this better??? 

 

 

Hey all!

 

I'm about a week late but considering the amount of research and forum reading I did before our cruise, I find it only fitting to give my two cents on how our sailing went for you all to dissect how you will!

 

For a little background, I am a 26 year old nurse and my travel buddy is my mom, a recently retired teacher. This was a last minute cruise that I convinced her to go on with me for Mother's Day. We booked in late March for a ridiculously good deal if I do say so myself. 😉  We've both been on four other cruises. This will be the second time on Carnival for the pair of us.

 

We would be driving (what is normally a 4 1/2 hr drive from south Louisiana). We received word from Carnival the night before that the ship would be delayed arriving and all embarkation would be held off two hours. Plus, they mentioned "heavy traffic delays" between Houston and Galveston on I-95 so we decided to take an alternate route via the ferry. All in all, we left at the same time we initially planned and our trip ended up being 5 1/2 hours. Not too bad. We arrived at 11:30 to the EZ cruise parking and made our way to the terminal. It was noon by now and from what we saw, there were more people debarking than waiting to embark. We got in line and were inside getting our Verifly checked 20 minutes after. No issues with that and we headed up the escalators to the main check in desk.

 

This is where we had issues. As our passports were expired and had to be sent in two weeks prior, we were without passports. We had to rely on our ENHANCED driver's licenses. I had done all the research I needed to be sure that we did not need birth certificates. The check in people disagreed and said everyone is required to have a birth certificate to board and that we would be denied boarding until we got pictures of our birth certificates. I showed them proof on multiple different sites including carnival.com and the Galveston cruise port website that one needs EITHER a birth certificate, military ID or enhanced driver's license to board the ship if you do not have a passport. They repeatedly ignored the obvious proof in front of them and required up to go off to the side in a waiting area to get pictures of our birth certificates. Soooo we reluctantly called my dad who was across town from our house where the birth certificate were. He went back to the house and snapped pictures for us. We owe him a big one! After the desk lady received the picture we waited another hour for our room to be" unlocked" and allowed us to board.

 

It was 2pm when we stepped onto the ship and we were determined to put all that behind us and get on vacation mode! Luckily for us, that was the only issue we had the entire cruise. We went directly to the lido marketplace for lunch, YUM, then headed down to our cabin. Even though they didn't start boarding anyone til 1pm, all rooms were ready at 1:30 and when we got down to our room around 2:30, our luggage was already waiting for us! We unpacked, got settled, went to muster and went out to explore the ship! Of an on throughout the afternoon we got updates from our AHHHHMAZING CD KYNDALL FIRE (more on her later) that due to the traffic, we wouldn't set sail til 7:30. She assured everyone that it would not affect our first port as we had two sea days ahead of us to make up time!

 

We enjoyed watching the Kentucky Derby before our first dinner (earlier in the day we were able to switch from late time dining to any time dining) in the Horizons Dining Room (3 and 4 aft). Most all the food we ate in the MDR was very good. We found service to be slower when we went to eat after 6:45ish and the quality of food seemed better when eating earlier. Nonetheless, using the Carnival HUB app to check in was not a problem at all and the longest we waiting for a table was the first formal night. Even that wait was only 10 minutes! The first night was the only night we were seated in a different spot than the other 5 days we ate in the MDR. We really liked this aspect as this was one concern we had of trying Anytime Dining for the first time. We always enjoy having the same wait staff that gets to know us and vice versa during the cruise. In fact, we didn't even have to ask to be seated in the same spot. It must be an automatic thing in the system. Anytime Dining worked very well for us and we have no complaints!

 

We headed out to the Liquid Lounge (4 and 5 forward) for the first big Welcome Show. It's here that we were introduced to Kyndall FIIIIRREEE, BOM BOM BOM! There's only so many words I can say about someone before it gets redundant but suffice to say, Kyndall is the most outgoing, bubbly, joyous, charismatic, HILARIOUS person I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Yes, I said person, not cruise director! Maybe it's because we are very close in age and I am envious of someone who clearly loves her job so much, or the fact that she lets her huge personality light up any room when she walks in, but really truly, she made every aspect of our cruise better! On previous cruises, I never remember CD's, their faces, names, nothing; but I assuredly will never forget Kyndall! My mom and I both agree we will try our hardest to get on at least another of her ships in the future. 

 

Okie dokie. I think that's all for now. My goal is the post one cruise day review each day and hopefully life won't get in the way of that. I'm looking forward to any comments y'all may have!

 

okay bye

[cruisefanatic2713]

1 minute ago, icft said:

Thanks for the review. I look forward the the future installments.

 

Your need for a birth certificate was due to you NOT having "enhanced" driver's licenses. Louisiana does not issue enhanced driver's licenses; it issues either regular driver's licenses or Real ID driver's licenses.

 

Only five states issue enhanced driver's licenses. See:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enhanced_driver's_license

This is actually new information for me! Thank you for that! Genuinely didn't know that there was a difference between real ID and enhanced.

[dharmapath]

Thanks for the review,  it was great😝

[Bgwest]

7 hours ago, cruisefanatic2713 said:

Is this better??? 

 

 

Hey all!

 

I'm about a week late but considering the amount of research and forum reading I did before our cruise, I find it only fitting to give my two cents on how our sailing went for you all to dissect how you will!

 

For a little background, I am a 26 year old nurse and my travel buddy is my mom, a recently retired teacher. This was a last minute cruise that I convinced her to go on with me for Mother's Day. We booked in late March for a ridiculously good deal if I do say so myself. 😉  We've both been on four other cruises. This will be the second time on Carnival for the pair of us.

 

We would be driving (what is normally a 4 1/2 hr drive from south Louisiana). We received word from Carnival the night before that the ship would be delayed arriving and all embarkation would be held off two hours. Plus, they mentioned "heavy traffic delays" between Houston and Galveston on I-95 so we decided to take an alternate route via the ferry. All in all, we left at the same time we initially planned and our trip ended up being 5 1/2 hours. Not too bad. We arrived at 11:30 to the EZ cruise parking and made our way to the terminal. It was noon by now and from what we saw, there were more people debarking than waiting to embark. We got in line and were inside getting our Verifly checked 20 minutes after. No issues with that and we headed up the escalators to the main check in desk.

 

This is where we had issues. As our passports were expired and had to be sent in two weeks prior, we were without passports. We had to rely on our ENHANCED driver's licenses. I had done all the research I needed to be sure that we did not need birth certificates. The check in people disagreed and said everyone is required to have a birth certificate to board and that we would be denied boarding until we got pictures of our birth certificates. I showed them proof on multiple different sites including carnival.com and the Galveston cruise port website that one needs EITHER a birth certificate, military ID or enhanced driver's license to board the ship if you do not have a passport. They repeatedly ignored the obvious proof in front of them and required up to go off to the side in a waiting area to get pictures of our birth certificates. Soooo we reluctantly called my dad who was across town from our house where the birth certificate were. He went back to the house and snapped pictures for us. We owe him a big one! After the desk lady received the picture we waited another hour for our room to be" unlocked" and allowed us to board.

 

It was 2pm when we stepped onto the ship and we were determined to put all that behind us and get on vacation mode! Luckily for us, that was the only issue we had the entire cruise. We went directly to the lido marketplace for lunch, YUM, then headed down to our cabin. Even though they didn't start boarding anyone til 1pm, all rooms were ready at 1:30 and when we got down to our room around 2:30, our luggage was already waiting for us! We unpacked, got settled, went to muster and went out to explore the ship! Of an on throughout the afternoon we got updates from our AHHHHMAZING CD KYNDALL FIRE (more on her later) that due to the traffic, we wouldn't set sail til 7:30. She assured everyone that it would not affect our first port as we had two sea days ahead of us to make up time!

 

We enjoyed watching the Kentucky Derby before our first dinner (earlier in the day we were able to switch from late time dining to any time dining) in the Horizons Dining Room (3 and 4 aft). Most all the food we ate in the MDR was very good. We found service to be slower when we went to eat after 6:45ish and the quality of food seemed better when eating earlier. Nonetheless, using the Carnival HUB app to check in was not a problem at all and the longest we waiting for a table was the first formal night. Even that wait was only 10 minutes! The first night was the only night we were seated in a different spot than the other 5 days we ate in the MDR. We really liked this aspect as this was one concern we had of trying Anytime Dining for the first time. We always enjoy having the same wait staff that gets to know us and vice versa during the cruise. In fact, we didn't even have to ask to be seated in the same spot. It must be an automatic thing in the system. Anytime Dining worked very well for us and we have no complaints!

 

We headed out to the Liquid Lounge (4 and 5 forward) for the first big Welcome Show. It's here that we were introduced to Kyndall FIIIIRREEE, BOM BOM BOM! There's only so many words I can say about someone before it gets redundant but suffice to say, Kyndall is the most outgoing, bubbly, joyous, charismatic, HILARIOUS person I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Yes, I said person, not cruise director! Maybe it's because we are very close in age and I am envious of someone who clearly loves her job so much, or the fact that she lets her huge personality light up any room when she walks in, but really truly, she made every aspect of our cruise better! On previous cruises, I never remember CD's, their faces, names, nothing; but I assuredly will never forget Kyndall! My mom and I both agree we will try our hardest to get on at least another of her ships in the future. 

 

Okie dokie. I think that's all for now. My goal is the post one cruise day review each day and hopefully life won't get in the way of that. I'm looking forward to any comments y'all may have!

 

okay bye

Much!!😃

[Ilovesailaway]

Glad to hear you were able to board. I would have been very frustrated dealing with that staff at embarkation. I'm glad you shared that experience, it helps me prepare for potential problems when I travel.

[Carla in Texas 61]

Thank you for your review. We will be on the Vista July 9th to celebrate my daughters 26th bday.

 

I have a question regarding the Muster drill-  Where do they hold the Muster drill? The last time I cruised in 2019, it was held in the huge theater. 

 

Another question, I've previously read where ppl have complained about the elevators and not being able to access many times due to them being so busy and having to wait for long periods of time to board an elevator. My husband just had hip replacement and is still struggling with his ambulation, he find stairs very difficult. So I am a little worried about the elevator issues, if there are any issues.

 

Thank you

 

 

[cruisefanatic2713]

2 hours ago, Carla in Texas 61 said:

Thank you for your review. We will be on the Vista July 9th to celebrate my daughters 26th bday.

 

I have a question regarding the Muster drill-  Where do they hold the Muster drill? The last time I cruised in 2019, it was held in the huge theater. 

 

Another question, I've previously read where ppl have complained about the elevators and not being able to access many times due to them being so busy and having to wait for long periods of time to board an elevator. My husband just had hip replacement and is still struggling with his ambulation, he find stairs very difficult. So I am a little worried about the elevator issues, if there are any issues.

 

Thank you

 

 

Thanks for the comment!

So the muster drill is now completely different that pre-Covid. Your muster station is posted on your boarding summary. For example, our station was B5 which is on deck 5 midship near Alchemy Bar. You go to your muster location, watch them demonstrate how to put on the lifejacket. They check off your name and that is all there is to it. No waiting for 30 minutes in a big crowd outside near the lifeboats like before.

 

Regarding elevators, unfortunately, my mom and I did not even step in an elevator until the middle of day 2. Our stateroom was on deck 1 so we got our workout in. It did not bother us because we wanted to work off the calories we were enjoying haha! But for your situation, I found a good trick, regardless of what direction you are going, to get in whatever elevator comes to your floor. For example, if I'm on the Lobby deck 3 wanting to go to Lido on deck 10 and an elevator opens but it's going down to deck 1, get in it anyhow. You'll get to the floor you want with an extra 10 seconds of riding the elevator. not a problem. But yes I did notice many people waiting a while for elevators.

[Imalismom]

On 5/23/2022 at 10:47 PM, cruisefanatic2713 said:

This is actually new information for me! Thank you for that! Genuinely didn't know that there was a difference between real ID and enhanced.

I worked for a time for the DCL port - you would not believe how many people did not understand the difference between REAL ID and enhanced ID - and the amount of heartbreak it caused.

[Imalismom]

On 5/23/2022 at 10:45 PM, cruisefanatic2713 said:

! My mom and I both agree we will try our hardest to get on at least another of her ships in the future. 

 

 

 

[Quilcruisers]

On 5/23/2022 at 9:45 PM, cruisefanatic2713 said:

Is this better??? 

 

 

Hey all!

 

I'm about a week late but considering the amount of research and forum reading I did before our cruise, I find it only fitting to give my two cents on how our sailing went for you all to dissect how you will!

 

For a little background, I am a 26 year old nurse and my travel buddy is my mom, a recently retired teacher. This was a last minute cruise that I convinced her to go on with me for Mother's Day. We booked in late March for a ridiculously good deal if I do say so myself. 😉  We've both been on four other cruises. This will be the second time on Carnival for the pair of us.

 

We would be driving (what is normally a 4 1/2 hr drive from south Louisiana). We received word from Carnival the night before that the ship would be delayed arriving and all embarkation would be held off two hours. Plus, they mentioned "heavy traffic delays" between Houston and Galveston on I-95 so we decided to take an alternate route via the ferry. All in all, we left at the same time we initially planned and our trip ended up being 5 1/2 hours. Not too bad. We arrived at 11:30 to the EZ cruise parking and made our way to the terminal. It was noon by now and from what we saw, there were more people debarking than waiting to embark. We got in line and were inside getting our Verifly checked 20 minutes after. No issues with that and we headed up the escalators to the main check in desk.

 

This is where we had issues. As our passports were expired and had to be sent in two weeks prior, we were without passports. We had to rely on our ENHANCED driver's licenses. I had done all the research I needed to be sure that we did not need birth certificates. The check in people disagreed and said everyone is required to have a birth certificate to board and that we would be denied boarding until we got pictures of our birth certificates. I showed them proof on multiple different sites including carnival.com and the Galveston cruise port website that one needs EITHER a birth certificate, military ID or enhanced driver's license to board the ship if you do not have a passport. They repeatedly ignored the obvious proof in front of them and required up to go off to the side in a waiting area to get pictures of our birth certificates. Soooo we reluctantly called my dad who was across town from our house where the birth certificate were. He went back to the house and snapped pictures for us. We owe him a big one! After the desk lady received the picture we waited another hour for our room to be" unlocked" and allowed us to board.

 

It was 2pm when we stepped onto the ship and we were determined to put all that behind us and get on vacation mode! Luckily for us, that was the only issue we had the entire cruise. We went directly to the lido marketplace for lunch, YUM, then headed down to our cabin. Even though they didn't start boarding anyone til 1pm, all rooms were ready at 1:30 and when we got down to our room around 2:30, our luggage was already waiting for us! We unpacked, got settled, went to muster and went out to explore the ship! Of an on throughout the afternoon we got updates from our AHHHHMAZING CD KYNDALL FIRE (more on her later) that due to the traffic, we wouldn't set sail til 7:30. She assured everyone that it would not affect our first port as we had two sea days ahead of us to make up time!

 

We enjoyed watching the Kentucky Derby before our first dinner (earlier in the day we were able to switch from late time dining to any time dining) in the Horizons Dining Room (3 and 4 aft). Most all the food we ate in the MDR was very good. We found service to be slower when we went to eat after 6:45ish and the quality of food seemed better when eating earlier. Nonetheless, using the Carnival HUB app to check in was not a problem at all and the longest we waiting for a table was the first formal night. Even that wait was only 10 minutes! The first night was the only night we were seated in a different spot than the other 5 days we ate in the MDR. We really liked this aspect as this was one concern we had of trying Anytime Dining for the first time. We always enjoy having the same wait staff that gets to know us and vice versa during the cruise. In fact, we didn't even have to ask to be seated in the same spot. It must be an automatic thing in the system. Anytime Dining worked very well for us and we have no complaints!

 

We headed out to the Liquid Lounge (4 and 5 forward) for the first big Welcome Show. It's here that we were introduced to Kyndall FIIIIRREEE, BOM BOM BOM! There's only so many words I can say about someone before it gets redundant but suffice to say, Kyndall is the most outgoing, bubbly, joyous, charismatic, HILARIOUS person I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Yes, I said person, not cruise director! Maybe it's because we are very close in age and I am envious of someone who clearly loves her job so much, or the fact that she lets her huge personality light up any room when she walks in, but really truly, she made every aspect of our cruise better! On previous cruises, I never remember CD's, their faces, names, nothing; but I assuredly will never forget Kyndall! My mom and I both agree we will try our hardest to get on at least another of her ships in the future. 

 

Okie dokie. I think that's all for now. My goal is the post one cruise day review each day and hopefully life won't get in the way of that. I'm looking forward to any comments y'all may have!

 

okay bye

Thank you for your review. We are sailing on vista next Saturday and really enjoyed Kendall last December. She unfortunately was MIA midway through the cruise because of COVID or precautions, which we understand.  Things were getting back to semi-normal after the pandemic. I love her too. 

[LaRue1975]

Thank you for changing the font, I am really enjoying your review. We were on Vista the first week of April, looking forward to reading the rest of your adventure! 

[karmamule]

I was just researching about who the CD would be on our upcoming Mardi Gras cruise in October, saw it would be Kyndall, then did a forum search and I'm really happy to see so many happy/positive comments for her. I know it's been a while since you posted this but thank you!

[Anyislandwilldo]

Looking forward to hearing more