Last cruise for a while - Vista was not great

[popeyesChickenSandwich]

I got off Vista on 12/17. This was my:

• 6th Carnival cruise overall
• 3rd post-covid cruise
• 1st time on the Vista

 

I'll start by saying, this was the last "covid cancellation reschedule" that we had so we thankfully got the extra $600 OBC, and we did enjoy some of the ports. Overall it was not a great experience though. Here's my grievances:

1. Noticeable decline quality of MDR food. My wife and I look forward to dinner every night, but the food was under-whelming (all over the ship actually) to the point that we were just eating for sustenance instead of enjoyment - the waitstaff was crushing it with service, but even they understood the dishes were not good.
2. The casino on Vista is wayy cramped.. there's no room to walk around, and coming off the Breeze where I spent a lot of time in the non-smoking casino. I did not enjoy spending time in the Vista casino.
3. The Vista overall felt cramped. It's the largest ship I've been on, but felt the smallest. No dedicated club. Single-level dining (at least the MDR that I was in). Despite seeing that it was bigger, I felt that too much was jammed in instead of giving larger common areas to showcase the size of the boat. There was a comedy club, but comics were moved into main theater most nights. Space just wasn't used well.
4. Completely a me-issue: This was my first 7-day cruise.. that ain't it for me. I enjoy getting on the boat, going hard for a long weekend and getting off. The crowd was a little bit older on the 7-day cruise as well.. just not our style.
5. Perhaps the biggest deterrent: we both got covid on-board. This was our first cruise since they allowed non-vaccinated individuals back. Of course I'm not certain that's how I got it but  .... *does math in head* there may be a correlation. I'm still on the recovery - I had gotten kind of complacent about the virus because of doing 2 post-covid, but getting hella sick for a few days puts a damper on the experience and gives me pause about considering another cruise. It would make sense (IMO) for Carnival to still offer fully vaccinated cruises on certain ships with non-vaccinated on others so people could still choose to have some level of confidence about overall health on the ship.

 

We still definitely had moments of enjoyment - the waitstaff is still doing 100% effort in making the vacation a good time, but that's going to be it for us for a while.
When I do book another cruise, it will not be on Vista.

[kctwinmommy]

And we're the opposite. We booked our last one, which was a 5-day cruise, because we were just getting away with some friends. We'll never do less than 7 days again, and that's only IF we book Carnival in the future. Our next one, we're going on Viking! We need more.

 

 

[firefly333]

You had $600 obc and could have done pay restaurants since the Mdr wasnt as good. That's actually what I did on my last vista. I agree about smaller spaces but it was known ahead of time. Theater and comedy club are smaller and deck 5 closed in.

 

I got off allure sunday with positive covid. B2b so I'm sure I got it the first week. Got tested onboard negative but I knew it was positive. Just saved rcl some money. I'm still positive over a week later. It could be any ship. Its winter and going around. I'm triple shot, being vaccinated doesnt stop it. Going back to vaccinated ships wouldnt help. 

 

Saying you had $600 to spend and then not spending it on upgraded food to me cant complain. Lots of threads about quality being cut in Mdr. Prices are up and what you get for it down everywhere, not just carnival. I agree about dinner Mdr. Sometimes you have to upgrade yourself. It's not as good as pre covid ... anywhere. 

 

Maybe they a higher end cruiseline. I see some trying princess and celebrity.

[popeyesChickenSandwich]

9 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Lots of threads about quality being cut in Mdr. Prices are up and what you get for it down everywhere, not just carnival.

 

Yeah I agree it is everywhere. Just sucks to see it on my vacation. We definitely ran up the check in the restaurants - the sushi was still solid! The macro-economic condition is definitely driving some cuts, and I hope the economy bounces back soon - and so does the MDR.

[ObstructedView2]

1 hour ago, popeyesChickenSandwich said:

 

This was my first 7-day cruise.. that ain't it for me. I enjoy getting on the boat, going hard for a long weekend and getting off. 

 

 

 

 

✌

[popeyesChickenSandwich]

Thanks for this important clarification. I was not in the Boats, I was on the SHIP the whole time.

[Eli_6]

My husband and I both got Covid on our last two cruises.  So we got it twice in 3 months.  Despite being vaccinated and boosted. I didn't get that sick, but my husband got REALLY sick. Especially the second time.  I was surprised we got it so soon after having had it, but the second cruise was in Europe so I guess maybe it was a different strain.  We ended up canceling our cruise this past October because he just couldn't get sick again so soon when he still had brain fog from his second infection. 

[popeyesChickenSandwich]

Wow that's interesting.

Contrary to the tone of the group, I'm not bashing folks that didn't get vaccinated.. I'm just interested in trying to minimize my own chances of getting sick again. It sounds like it's just the way it is now. It's not ideal, to take a week off work and then have to call in a few more days after the vacation. I'm in the same boat, I mean SHIP @Eli_6: my wife got sniffles, but I got floored for a few days and lost smell and everything 😅

Edited December 22, 2022 by popeyesChickenSandwich

[Eli_6]

6 minutes ago, popeyesChickenSandwich said:

Wow that's interesting.

Contrary to the tone of the group, I'm not bashing folks that didn't get vaccinated.. I'm just interested in trying to minimize my own chances of getting sick again. It sounds like it's just the way it is now. It's not ideal, to take a week off work and then have to call in a few more days after the vacation. I'm in the same boat, I mean SHIP @Eli_6: my wife got sniffles, but I got floored for a few days and lost smell and everything 😅

It is very strange because my husband (who is 46) got really sick but I was ok.  My kids (who are vaxed) never even tested positive even though they had to have been exposed because one was even sleeping in the bed with us on the cruise! My brother who is 52 got insanely sick as well, but his wife and kids were ok.  His wife is younger than him and I am 5 years younger than my husband.   I read a research journal article that said they thought estrogen was somewhat protective from severe Covid.   Neither my husband nor brother have any significant adverse health conditions.  Neither are overweight. 

 

And everyone is vaxed and boosted.  I hate to think how sick my husband would have gotten if he had not been vaxed. I think he would have ended up hospitalized...

Edited December 22, 2022 by Eli_6

[Eli_6]

And before I got on another cruise, I am going to get the booster again.  I think one thing that may have helped my kids is they literally got their booster like 2 weeks before the cruise because they had just become elligible.  I honestly don't think the boosters last that long.  Maybe 2-3 months tops. 

[cruisingguy007]

2 hours ago, popeyesChickenSandwich said:

 

Yeah I agree it is everywhere. Just sucks to see it on my vacation. We definitely ran up the check in the restaurants - the sushi was still solid! The macro-economic condition is definitely driving some cuts, and I hope the economy bounces back soon - and so does the MDR.

 

I totally get this and don't understand the folks that say "oh well, pay to eat somewhere else" as that is ridiculous IMO. The food is a main part of a cruise fare, having terrible MDR food is unacceptable. I'm not sure what folks can do besides choose another line or remove gratuities and use those to offset up-charge dining (which sucks for the crew folks). It just sucks all around.

 

I can also appreciate liking the short cruises, if you're a party person, a few days of going hard is usually enough and a 4-day fits the bill perfect but I tend to prefer the crowds on the 7-day cruises over the 3-day weekend booze cruises. The vista class ships can feel overcrowded in public areas at certain times and it can be frustrating, especially lido on a sea day with all the towel hogs.   

 

Sorry you got the covid but I'm not sure it has anything to do with vaccinated or not, I'm on day 4 of isolation myself thanks to dressing up as Santa for our school holiday event and I've been jabbed, boosted and rejabbed and am up to date. Still kicked my butt on day one and was worse than a cold or flu, luckily I scored some Paxlovid quickly but that first day and a half was rough and no joke. Hope you recover quickly and get back after it.      

[Rudyard]

We had the same issues with the food on our recent Vista cruise. We always eat at least the first night in the MDR and were underwhelmed this time. After that dinner was either Cucina, JiJi, Bonsai, or the deli. Luckily we also had some OBC to help out with that. We tried the buffet a couple of times for lunch because the offerings looked good, but were disappointed with that as well. Most lunches were Pasta Bella, Mongolian Wok, Guys, or Blue Iguana. We did find breakfast in the buffet to be decent. Bacon was served twice since I'm sure someone out there is dying to ask 😉

[jimbo5544]

4 hours ago, Eli_6 said:

My husband and I both got Covid on our last two cruises.  So we got it twice in 3 months.  Despite being vaccinated and boosted. I didn't get that sick, but my husband got REALLY sick. Especially the second time.  I was surprised we got it so soon after having had it, but the second cruise was in Europe so I guess maybe it was a different strain.  We ended up canceling our cruise this past October because he just couldn't get sick again so soon when he still had brain fog from his second infection. 

Curious, are you casino players?

 

[Sabre407]

8 hours ago, popeyesChickenSandwich said:

The Vista overall felt cramped. It's the largest ship I've been on, but felt the smallest. No dedicated club.

I was just in sister ship Horizon, and YES. It was nearly impossible to get away from people, thankfully we had a balcony. The elevators were always a congested nightmare and so was the buffet. I know it’s a lot of people, but damn.

[icft]

As far as the Vista, I'm with the OP. That is the worst ship I have ever sailed with the worst casino I have ever been in. We sailed it once not long after it moved to Galveston and refuse to sail on another Vista class ship because of the cramped conditions noted by the OP. 

[CajunOyster]

1 hour ago, Sabre407 said:

I was just in sister ship Horizon, and YES. It was nearly impossible to get away from people, thankfully we had a balcony. The elevators were always a congested nightmare and so was the buffet. I know it’s a lot of people, but damn.

Elevators!  Out of all the places on the ship, this irritated me the most.  The Spirit was NOT crowded when we sailed a few weeks ago, but people will pack elevators like sardines to avoid waiting for the next one.  Have we learned nothing at all from the last three years?

[hillbillycruisers]

We were on the Vista last month...easily our worst out of ten cruises. The MDR staff were either overwhelmed, or just lacking compared to our usual experiences...they were extremely slow. The food wasn't bad, but seemed to have gone down hill...and they messed up my order three nights. The piano bar was not fun or lively whatsoever...very drab. Lido buffet was probably about normal, and I did get a great omelet every morning, but they didn't have bacon several mornings. The Vista propulsion issues were still in play...we were late returning to Galveston. It was still a decent cruise...had great MDR table mates...good weather...and an overall good time....but I doubt I'll book the Vista again. 

[Sabre407]

19 minutes ago, CajunOyster said:

Elevators!  Out of all the places on the ship, this irritated me the most.  The Spirit was NOT crowded when we sailed a few weeks ago, but people will pack elevators like sardines to avoid waiting for the next one.  Have we learned nothing at all from the last three years?

Yes! The elevator would finally show up and be filled to the brim. I’m not squeezing into that thing. Have to wait for the door to close so you can wait for yet another elevator. 

[BlerkOne]

24 minutes ago, CajunOyster said:

Elevators!  Out of all the places on the ship, this irritated me the most.  The Spirit was NOT crowded when we sailed a few weeks ago, but people will pack elevators like sardines to avoid waiting for the next one.  Have we learned nothing at all from the last three years?

To take the stairs?

[CajunOyster]

2 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

To take the stairs?

 

Exactly.  I can't believe how many people will pile on an elevator to avoid one or two floors of stairs.

[staceyglow]

5 minutes ago, CajunOyster said:

 

Exactly.  I can't believe how many people will pile on an elevator to avoid one or two floors of stairs.

My pet peeve!  Able-bodied people getting on the elevator to go down one flight of stairs.  I actually try to take the stairs as much as possible to burn off all the "terrible" food I am eating on the cruise.

[CajunOyster]

6 minutes ago, staceyglow said:

My pet peeve!  Able-bodied people getting on the elevator to go down one flight of stairs.  I actually try to take the stairs as much as possible to burn off all the "terrible" food I am eating on the cruise.

Able-bodied or not, I don't really want to be three inches from the person in front of me in an enclosed space!  I won't even get on if more than 2-3 people are already on.  I'll take the stairs, even though a single floor takes me 4-5 minutes.

[notscb]

10 hours ago, popeyesChickenSandwich said:

I had gotten kind of complacent about the virus

 

While I understand your reasoning behind #5, this alone kind of negates the statement you made. Society as a whole has gotten complacent about the virus, and cruising just kind of reflects what's happening in our communities at large.

 

I do agree it'd be nice if cruise lines offered fully vaccinated sailings, but everyone has really relaxed on the handwashing/sanitizing and the cruise lines have also stopped cleaning as thoroughly from what I noticed on the Dream last week. Cruise ships have always been hot-beds for the spread of disease (respiratory, GI, or other), so this factor was always present pre and post the dark times.

[notscb]

18 minutes ago, staceyglow said:

My pet peeve!  Able-bodied people getting on the elevator to go down one flight of stairs.

 

1. Folks are on vacation

2. you might not be able to tell someone able-bodied-ness by just looking at them.

3. I've often gotten on an elevator to realize that I wasn't on the deck I thought I was or that I needed to stop somewhere I forgot about, and get off at the next floor.

 

I realize this might sound just as judgey, but maybe we just let others exist on their vacation just like we'd like to exist on our vacations a la golden rule.

 

[keels81]

2 hours ago, icft said:

As far as the Vista, I'm with the OP. That is the worst ship I have ever sailed with the worst casino I have ever been in. We sailed it once not long after it moved to Galveston and refuse to sail on another Vista class ship because of the cramped conditions noted by the OP. 

 

Also agree. The Vista stinks, especially if you're a casino person. Not having a casino bar sucks and makes the terrible layout of that ship even worse.