Vista Founders Cruise review

[slw207693]

I was the first one excitedly aboard Vista for the Founders cruise May 13-20, 2023.   The following review is MY opinion.   I’ve posted pictures under First onboard Vista so you can go look or Steamboats has also posted many 
 

Stepping into the lobby on 5th deck, was breathtaking!  That staircase set off by the floor to ceiling glass structure promises lots of good things above - please ascend me.  The concierge and dining reservation desks are now discretely tucked in the side nook areas where the couches and seating are on Marina and Riviera.  There is a permanent circular desk are in front of the boutiques in the lobby, for this is for the local representatives who come onboard  with maps for guests to ask about the area.  
 

The hallway going towards Jacques (which is now Ember on Vista) has been eliminated completely.  That expanded space is now part of Ember which is designed for quicker dining (75 minutes on average).  What is different feeling is you don’t have a waiter and helper, but a waiter and many helpers as whoever sees something needing cleared or more water poured, they all seem to pitch in as part of the quickness process.  There is an open galley at the back if you want to go watch them prepare, but that is also the area where waitstaff are working too.   
 

Red Ginger on the other hallway is lovely.  There is a private nook at the back that seats 4.  We had dinner with General Manager in here.  It has a curtain that could be closed for more privacy.  It was nice to be able to talk and hear.   No reservation in here needed that I know of, nor an extra cost.  I will send out feelers if you just have to ask Maitre’d or dining reservations desk.   
 

Ascended that lovely marble staircase up to Martinis for Muster check in.   More couch/banquet seating options.  Had a cocktail mixology demonstration in here one afternoon.  Mixology is the new buzzword for cocktails.   Tried many, liked a couple, will probably stick to gin and tonics which are hard to mess up.  The bar staff are training hard to learn all the recipes to be consistent.   
 

as you go out of Martinis bar, the casino is to your right.  Felt like the same configuration as Riviera and Marina.  Maybe brighter lights.   The long hall or Grand Hall has various seating separated by open shelves with Knick knacks.   This is where the string quartet plays most early evenings.   The entrance to the Founders Bar (on Marina and Riviera it’s in the middle of the Grand Hall) is across from the Grand Dining room exit on the starboard side, or through the casino.   
 

The Founders Bar (for Frank Del Rio) is where a lot of people gathered after dining.  The bar is on the opposite wall of Marina and Riviera.  The seating is along the wall with a chair, a table, a chair, a table, etc for about 10 chairs on each side and then 8-10 bar stools.  They do drinks with smoke, upper end scotch’s, bourbons, cognacs, etc. here.  They also have created a drink called G.O.A.T. In honor of Mr. Del Rio.   
 

The Grand dining room has a lovely waiting area ( although it was run so efficiently that we never got to try the sofa).  It is not open like Marina or Riviera, but has these panels (three) that have archways to get to center seating with wonderful chandeliers.   Server stations are more on the outer edges.  Some of the seating is again banquet seating for two on one side of table and 2 chairs on other.  
 

taking the elevator up to 12, you have Waves ( expanded seating and serving area), Terrace Cafe - ONLY place you can get self serve coffee, tea, etc) and the new Aquamar kitchen (where LaReserve used to be).   Terrace cafe has partitions between areas of seating.  Sometimes hard to find friends as they may be “behind” one of these and not easily seeable.  The outdoor seating is completely covered with a waterproof shade.  However it was much cooler in the Med and the deck not used fully.  It will be the in demand place to sit in warmer weather.   The serving stations have lower glass so you can see the servers and interact more.  The displays feel less cluttered, especially since the poke bowls and some of the salads have been moved to the Aquamar Kitchen.  They had a seafood extravangaza one night in Terrace and they fed almost 600!   Lobster, crab legs, caviar, the world was your oyster that night.   We chose the lonely dining room that night for this review.
 

the Aquamar Kitchen is a sit down and order off menu place.  Right now it is open for breakfast and lunch, but proved so popular it might eventually be a dinner venue.   They have put up wind barriers by the pool area, but for me it was still cold.  There are overhead heaters, but the servers are hot running around and the guests cold sitting.  It’s a balancing act for both.   The seating along the new wall is all banquet style with chair on other side of table.  There are lovely 12” pillows for each guest, but I saw numerous times them on the floor or pushed aside.  Inside the Aquamar Kitchen is a high table for 12 sharing.  In other words, you hike yourself up and share it with others.   MY thoughts, it’s high and the chairs are really heavy and sturdy.  Sometimes the shorter staff had trouble reaching over to fill water glasses.

Baristas has been well designed.  The bakery area is where the card room was on Marina and Riviera.  They will warm you pastry and with your coffee expertly prepared by Maximo or Vincenzo remembering your drink as you enter the area, it was the ideal place in morning.   Lots more places to sit, both inside and outside.  With Horizons not having coffee anymore (BIG mistake I think), Baristas was busy.   They also still have the breakfast items as well

 

Up to Toscana and Polo (Polo is only venue we did not dine in due to this being a 7 day cruise - hard to get it all in).   That being said, I did explore the room, and the private dining room - but not so private because it has no doors and there are tables immediate outside it.  Same with Toscana.     The rooms are called Chambers 🤷‍♀️.   I was given a sheet with information in regards to Toscana  and Polo.   It says “

Venue can be booked pre-cruise for a maximum of eight guests ($300 pre cruise - just like Privee on O class). Guests may order from the standard Toscana menu.  Wine is NOT included

 

there is a Pairing experience Pairing experience (per guest) can only be booked onboard - pairing experience WILL NOT operate with less than 8 guests.  For Toscana the classic pairing if $70 plus 20%; the premium pairing is $155 plus 20%

 

If guests request the Toscana Pairing experience (classic $560 + 20% | premium $1240 + 20%)   Guest(s) will be credited the venue charge ($300) and charged the pairing experience cost above (based on 8 guests) + 20%

 

Polo cost for private dining using the Polo menu is the $300 venue charge.  The Classic wine pairing is $95 + 20% and the premium is $140 + 20%.   Pairings will operate with no less than 8 guests.   If guests request the pairing experience (classic $760 + 20% | premium $1120 + 20%) Guests will be credited the venue charges ($300) and charged the pairing experience cost above (based on 8 guests) +20%

 

venue may be booked pre-cruise for $300 or onboard.  ONCE ONBOARD (Oceania’s capitals not mine) guests may choose standard menu (no additional cost) OR one of the two wine pairing menus.
 

the food and wines for these private dinners are already chosen.  The print is too tiny to read.  (And it may change before it begins). 
 

Food was FABULOUS (my capitals now) - how could it not be with Sr. Executive Chef Frederic in charge of opening Vista.  They have all worked very hard and it shows.  Getting the staff used to Ember and Aquamar Kitchen menu and what ingredients each dish has for allergies, they should all be praised and given a raise!  the Waves pizza grill in the evening (a favorite place after a long day touring with a bottle of good red wine).   Hiccups, sure - but all easily sorted.   
 

crew have new uniforms - they look very spiffy and the best part - the females get to wear trousers or skirts.  With the cool weather this was greatly appreciated by them and I hope that Oceania implements it fleet wide.  
 

I will write a separate review tomorrow (we are back on Riviera) and will give review of cabin, internet, spa and Horizons and anything else you think I have missed.   

[mauibabes]

@slw207693

Absolutely right on reviews.  We too were aboard the Founders cruise and it was excellent. The staff, crew and guests had an outstanding experience on that first “paying customer” cruise. Perfect, no but hiccups are good because it keeps us all focused on always doing better. If I may add, the art work in the Grand Hall are far from Knick knacks, there is some absolutely gorgeous blown glass pieces and if I heard correctly, part of about $7,000,000 in artwork on Vista. 
 

We were fortunate to have eaten in Polo and it was excellent with even more monster steak options for two.  We also got to eat in Privee, from the Polo menu, and it was also excellent with outstanding service.
IMHO, Ember is not a Premium/Specialty restaurant requiring reservations and limited access. In fact, it could easily become an excellent lunch or quick meal location, ala The Cheesecake Factory or similar upscale bistro/cafe.  Menu items were good but certainly not in a league with the other Reservation required Specialty restaurants. 75-90 minute dinners were not had, closer to 2 hours if in a group of 4 or more. 
We ate in the Aquamar Kitchen for breakfast and lunch and it was good but will need continual tweaking of the menu. My DW could not even order fresh fruit with her breakfast, all fruit was being used to make smoothies which were certainly not lo cal options. I had the Avocado toast which was good but the toast was quite firm, almost day old toast as you needed a sharp knife to cut it up into small pieces.  
We ate in Red Ginger on the first night, my personal favorite, and every dish had that great flavor but the food did not come from the kitchen “hot”, just warm. We had a chat with the Maitre d and we never heard from anyone else dining there over the week having this problem. She “handled it”. 
All in All, it was an absolutely amazing cruise and we are excited for our October sailing with a bunch of friends on her. 
Keep up the great work on your reviews. 👍🍷😇

Mauibabes

 

[tigerfan75]

5 hours ago, slw207693 said:

I will write a separate review tomorrow (we are back on Riviera) and will give review of cabin, internet, spa and Horizons and anything else you think I have missed.   

Thanks for all of your effort.  It is VERY much appreciated.  I very much look forward to hearing if the "new and improved" internet is as advertised.

[basor]

Thank you so much for taking your time for this extensive review.....did you or anyone you know go to the Founders Bar and try any of their drinks?  Pricing and are any included on the Prestige Package?  There was promotion of a mixology cart - did you see this and/or is it up and functioning yet?

[ToxM]

I hope they reconsider Horizons having coffee and pastries. It is my favourite first breakfast venue.

 

Sounds like it is lovely though!

[DENIE]

Thanks for the review!  We cannot wait to see Vista in  January 2024! 🙂

[Norseh2o]

Nice review of the Vista. Details were great, loved the pictures, food and menu observations and personnel comments. Thank you!