What I Loved About Carnival Vista
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- Опубліковано 11 жов 2017
- During an 8-day Southern Caribbean cruise on the Carnival Vista, I recorded this little video to explain what I love about Carnival's newest ship, and why it's my new favorite Carnival cruise ship!
I show you some of my favorite things about Carnival Vista... including the exclusive Havana pool area at the back of the ship. Only about 130 of the 4600 passengers onboard the ship had access to this area.
I also show you a few cool features of the most expensive suite on Carnival Vista, which is known as a Havana suite. It's got a really great shower, with a rainfall shower head, and room enough for a romantic couple to shower together.
Of course, there's always room for improvement with any new ship... so I also tell you about a few things about our cruise that were less than perfect.
The little girl at the end of the video is Kat, the daughter of some friends who cruised with us on Carnival Vista. One of the highlights of the cruise for me was swimming with Kat in the swimming pool, and playing together in the Waterworks water park area.
Music credit for the end of the video:
"Guiton Sketch" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Awesome! How does the Havana Area / Suites compare to NCL's Haven? Like you, we cruise NCL in the Haven so we would want to experience something comparable.
Thanks!
The Haven is more expensive, but then again you also get the services of a butler and a concierge... plus the use of a restaurant and bar just for Haven passengers... and a few little perks like reserved seats at shows, and special treatment at embarkation and disembarkation.
In a Havana cabin with Carnival, you don't have those extras... just the quiet and uncrowded pool, Jacuzzis, and loungers.
So, you have to decide for yourself whether those extras in The Haven are worth the extra cost to you. For me, the #1 critical thing is that quiet, un-crowded pool area, with the Jacuzzis and loungers. All the other stuff in The Haven is nice, but I don't know if I really need to spend the extra money for that. For me, the Carnival Havana experience really took care of the most important part, and I was fine with not having all the other stuff and especially fine with not paying Haven prices.
But on the other hand, Carnival just has ONE ship that offers this Havana experience right now. So, what am I going to do in a few months when I'm ready to cruise again? Sail on the Carnival Vista again, doing the alternate itinerary? Sounds a little repetitive to me. I really like that Norwegian has multiple ships with a Haven or suite experience. That way, there are many different ones to try, providing a nice variety of experiences. I am looking forward to a cruise in 2018 on a Norwegian ship that I haven't been on yet, on a different itinerary, for a different experience.
But my advice for Haven cruisers is definitely to give Carnival's Havana experience a try! It's a really nice variation on Norwegian's Haven... at a lower cost.
Thanks Jim. We'll have to look into that!
Jim Zimmerlin what other Cruiseline comes with the same perks as the Haven ,but have more luxury features food and pampering ? I can not stand the cattle lines , poor service where they attempt to sell constantly, lack of high quality food, over crowding, rude customers, loud music constantly, Zoo atmosphere, yet , I do not want a boring one with little or nothing to do by the way, I could care less about Comedians in Las Vegas shows! What Cruiseline would you suggest?
@@faithmoore3243 - I'd consider smaller ships to get what you're looking for.
Jim your detail is great, I love the good and bad things you bring up!
This cruise ship seems extremely high class. Definitely a turning point for Carnival, I feel.
You're absolutely right. If this is the direction that the company is headed with their new ships (and I'm pretty sure it is) there are some exciting times ahead for those of us who like to cruise with Carnival.
Jim, thanks for another great video! Great review of the ship.
Great video with a good honest and balanced review. Love your channel
The most amazing and comprehensive cruise videos I have ever seen. So informative and professionally delivered.
Appreciate you shared info
Love your videos helped me sooo much!
Great Video Jim. You have developed a great format for your videos. Looking forward to the Vista coming to Galveston.
Jim this was an excellent video! Thank you for sharing.
Great vid! I’m on Vista in 14 days
This was filmed great!
I absolutely love your videos! We are traveling on this ship in September so I am very grateful for your input on these cruise lines!🖒😊
Great info Jim. Thanks planing my first cruise soon. Very helpful
Beautiful video, beautiful ship, thanks for sharing.
I love your videos!
Great review. I really enjoyed it.
Love it!!!
great review!
Vista was a ton of fun! It was my first Carnival cruise and they certainly amazed me.
Yes, now you've been spoiled by the best ship in Carnival's fleet! The trick will be to find something as good, or even better for cruise #2!
you make great videos jim! some of the best i’ve seen on you tube. keep up the great work! maybe you look so young because you go on so many cruises.
Great Review. well spoken and very informative
Very nice review!
I am so EXCITED 😆
I think we exchanged messages a couple of years ago about the Norwegian Getaway after seeing your video and that we were about to take a cruise on that ship. We are now just a couple of months away from getting on the Vista and I ran across your videos about it. Thanks for the videos, Jim.
I loved this ship!!!!!!
The Havana pool opens to everyone at 7pm
Not anymore! 🥳
7:40 actually I’m about to cruise on the vista and just heard that the internet has actually been fixed for much faster streaming for guests.
Awesome!! I will be on VISTA in August
Jacquelyn Jenkins Me too! Hope you have a great time 👍
me and my family cruised on her last year! She was great!
Love your video very informative and clearly detailed, we are booked on the Horizon and we are trying the Havana it was a toss up between Havana and Haven the price difference was quite a bit but in the end it made more sense to go with Carnival and we have been quite loyal to them only strayed a few times about 8 lol looking forward to the havana area.
Thabks for the tips my switch to a Havanah onterior for the pool access
Great video Jim.
We also loved the Vista and had a interior Havana cabin. The band didn't bother me a bit.
Just sailed on the Vista in January 2020, Beautiful ship and all the things we love about Carnival. The one thing we noticed, and was issue is the venues are smaller, even though there are more passengers than on the Magic and others we have been on. The theater is only 2 floors and on some shows they remove seats from in front of the stage. If you want a seat get there EARLY!
Heading out on Vista Dec 2018
Vista forward elevators now have buttons to push to get one and to get to your deck
I still LOVE Dream class. Breeze is #1 for me. I love the atrium on Comquest and Dream class
I subscribed 🤩🤩
Hey Jim, just booked a Havana Cabana room for this Feb out of Galveston on Vista. Booked this solely for the purpose of having less crowds and more spots to relax by the pool. Pricey, but worth it in my opinion!
Good choice. You will love it!
Just returned less than a week ago from a cruise on Carnival Freedom, and we are planning next year's cruise on the Vista. I enjoyed this video, but did have to chuckle as the Carnival Hub did not work worth a darn last week and a serious lack of communication among our group members. I do look forward to cruising next February. Thanks for your time and effort.
Yeah I'll go on the ship when it's in Galveston
One day I'll cruise with Carnival! I need to get myself back over to the US...
Do you remember the character "Colin" in the movie "Love Actually"? He was the young Brit that moved to Wisconsin in the USA because his British accent drove the American girls crazy. Switch the genders and that's probably you in the USA. ha ha
Ha ha!! Yep. About 75% of the people who watch my videos are American... We have almost 1000 members in a Facebook group too and about the same percent is American.
I don't hunt out Americans I swear!! ha ha.
That’s crazy need to open the breakfast at 6 AM
People eat a lot on a cruise.The staff are slaved .
Gives you time to walk / run the track in the early a.m. before shower and dress, then you can head to breakfast :)
April- May/ 2018 Miami
Had A ball!
Wow, I like these. Will be absolutely beautiful at night!!! The Havana late evening. Wooo.
What type of camera do you use ?
I was on the Carnival Vista in May and loved all the outdoor space however didn't like the design of where the shops were located. I felt like everything was too closed in and it wasn't an open concept like other ships or cruise lines. I have been on the Royal Caribbean Oasis and Allure and loved the feel of the shopping area being so wide open and spacious. I have cruised Carnival and Norwegian too and loved all the ships but the Vista in regards of indoor space was limited. With that being said this ship is the best for outdoor living; there are chairs and lounge areas all outside that were just spacious and not too crowded. I'm thinking that if your on a cruise you would rather have more outdoor space so I was really good with that. The new elevator system was implemented in the middle of our cruise; we were told that they were going to test it out and I have to tell you it was one of the best things they did. Was a little confusing at first when you got up one day and it was changed but I think it helped with the traffic and waiting times of the elevators. I cruise every year and heading back to RC on the Harmony of the Seas but would love to try Carnival Vista again and maybe instead of a balcony cabin the Havana Suite might be something to try out..
Ty for this video. We are going on the Vista June 16th. I’m looking forward to this ship. This will be our first mega ship any suggestions?
I cruised on the Carnival Horizon and would do it again! The Havana cabins definitely worth it. Also, just a note, the Carnival Vista and Panorama have the same Havana cabins as the Horizon.
Wow I went on the vista for the repo cruise from New York to Miami in November 2016 and the elevators was not like that. I’m going back on next month and I’m ready to see it in person
It was just the front set of elevators. Perhaps your cabin was towards the back and you mainly used the aft elevators.
Jim Zimmerlin the elevators near the atrium? I used those so it has to be something they did after it got to Miami. Mmmm interesting
Jim, wish you had named your video Vista Havana staterooms. You usually cover more of the ship than just one area. Loved your video on RCC. If you cover another Carnival Vista class ship please review the Spa area and dining. Thanks for your videos
heading out on the vista in 2019 from Galveston
marc nascar You have a great time!!
What is your departure date? Our group is heading out Feb 3rd.
January 13, 2019
Mine is March 3, 2019
marc nascar me too
A gala dinner is included during the cruise lenght? :)
I've never been on a cruise before but me and my husband are actually going on our first this Saturday. 7day carnival ecstasy. This coming April we will be married 21yrs. We have 3 boys 2 of which are grown now so we figure it's finally time for us to do something we have always wanted to do. We are kinda celebrating Valentine's day and our anniversary as well..hehe Anyway I was watching your video the part about the cabin balcony not being very private. Would they allow you to use like hook magnets or the m3 strips and some string to hang your own light weight curtains? There are many different kinds that you could throw in your luggage that would be basically light weight and not take up very much space. Just a thought..
Hi! I love your video. I'm going on the Vista next June and I really appreciate all the tips. About the Havana pool area, I read somewhere that the area is open to all guests after 5 pm, I believe. Is it still somewhat non-crowded?
When the ship made her debut in the Mediterranean, they would allow non-Havana guests to enter the Havana area after 5 PM. But Carnival came to realize that it was too early... and moved it to 7 PM. So, it's 7 PM now. By then, it is completely empty... as everyone is either at dinner, or at a comedy show, or otherwise having fun elsewhere in the ship.
Do they close the pool on the Havana deck like they do the other decks?
This is making me excited to see the new Carnival ship coming to California in 2020. Right now we have the Splendor and as much as I do love it it is a bit outdated. Not as many places to choose from to eat (looking forward to Guy's Burgers) and if it has that same elevator technology that this one does that'll be great cause that means not having to go in an elevator where a kid or teen has decided to push the button for every single stinkin floor.
I'm excited about the Carnival Panorama coming to California, too! I will definitely sail on that ship!
Hello Jim, We are going on this exact ship and destinations in December. Are there any excursions that you would recommend? Also what up charge restaurant would you recommend? We don't know weather to do the steakhouse or the Italian. We love excursions and would greatly appreciate any input on one's you recommend in Aruba, La Romana, Grand Turk and Curacao. Thanks in advance! By the way I really enjoy all of your vlogs. You are the BEST at it.
Grand Turk... If you're a beach/sun person, don't book an excursion at all. Be one of the first off the boat after it docks, and grab a lounger in the shade at the pool at the Margaritaville restaurant, right there at the Grand Turk cruise terminal. Enjoy a few hours by the pool. If you are one of the first to arrive, you can snag a lounger under an umbrella, so you don't sunburn. If you have adventurous kids, book them a spot on the Flowrider surf simulator. If you have 4 or more in your group, consider booking a cabana. Have a nice lunch at Margaritaville. When you are bored with the pool and have finished with lunch at Margaritaville, move to the loungers at the beach, right next to the ship. That's a nice little beach, and it costs you zero dollars to relax on a lounger and play in the water.
La Romana... we had a great time on an excursion to Catalina Island. Again, this is for beach & sun people. There's a big, beautiful beach. Play in it. Rent a lounger under a shade tree from one of the locals. It was cheap... something like 5 bucks.
Aruba... If you like snorkeling, I'd recommend the "VIP Cruise & Snorkel" excursion.
Curacao... Beach/sun/water/snorkeling people will love the "Beach Break By Boat" excursion. It takes you to a really great beach about 15 minutes from the cruise ship. A breakwater protects the beach from the surf, so it is a very calm beach with no big waves. Free loungers, or spend a few bucks for an even nicer daybed under a canopy. Bring your own snorkel gear if you like snorkeling... at the breakwater there are a lot of fish. Also, they have the best Margaritas at a little bar there at the beach. Roving servers will even fetch one for you.
There's also an alternate version of this excursion where you go by bus, rather than by boat. It is simply called "Beach Day". If you are prone to getting seasick on a small boat bobbing through the waves, take the "Beach Day" version, rather than the "Beach Break By Boat" version. But, if you are not prone to seasickness, take the "Beach Break By Boat"... because it gets there sooner than the "Beach Day" version, and you will have first crack at the best loungers on the beach.
I will dive in to all of this in much more details, with lots of photos, when I post my full cruise review to my web site at www.jimzim.net I expect to finish writing that full review by the end of this weekend, or possibly not until sometime next weekend. Keep an eye on www.jimzim.net as that full review on my web site will have tons more details than I can cram in to a UA-cam video.
Thanks for the great information!
Very nice microphone Jim.
Maybe next time he could use a larger one.
Jim I'm a big fan, love your website and your cruise reviews. The giant microphone is the funniest thing on UA-cam. You should selling merchandise as the king of cruising, Jim Zim hats, flip flops, anti-chair hog t-shirts, flip flops, etc. How about the official Jim Zim cruise kit with a power strip, binoculars, sunblock, lawry's seasoning salt, and some Jim Zim merch! Keep on cruising, and thanks for all the tips, I hope someday I end up on your boat so I can buy you a pitcher of margaritas!
Have you sailed on the Triumph
Whoa! That is sooo cool video!
Nice semi private and kind of quiet area... my kind of peace to unwind and relax away from the crazy crowd...weird design though.... Carnival!!! Why why the design of the Havana???
The NCL Haven is still, I believe is the best...
Thanks Jim, gives us an idea what to expect and experience while in the Havana ala “Haven style” suites.
Nice IMAX theatre
I think I’ll stick with NCL Bliss and Escape and Celebrity Edge.
If there's lots of money in the cruise budget, Norwegian's Haven is a fantastic choice. I think I've done it four different times now, if I remember correctly... and I've loved every one. But Haven prices have been going up and up over the last few years. Carnival's Havana area is a good alternative for those who want the quiet, un-crowded pool area, but who are dealing with a more limited budget than you need to be able to afford to sail in The Haven.
I think folks who have sailed in Norwegian's Haven would be smart to try out a Havana cabin on the Carnival Vista or the upcoming Carnival Horizon. It's a good lower-priced alternative to The Haven.
Also, for anyone that has loved The Haven, be sure to check out the upcoming MSC Seaside for another good lower-priced alternative to The Haven.
This ship looks awesome🙁wish I wasn't so afraid of getting sea sick
americangirlNJ Why don’t you buy Dramamine? That normally helps most people with sea sickness. Shame to miss out on the joy of cruising due to that fear!
How did you hold your GoPro on the waterslide? I sailed the Vista last year and will again in 21 days! Nice video, thank you!
It was mounted on to a little hand grip, like this: amzn.to/2Fcj9rV
Jim Zimmerlin, Thank you for your quick response! I have a similar one. I have been looking at a hand/wrist mount but the reviews are less than glowing. I stumbled upon your videos last night, they are great! I love the Anthem of the Seas review, how was your cruise? I couldn’t find your video of your trip. I’ll have to check out RC’s similar ships that sail out of Florida.
How much was it for the imax movie?
Jim who do you book your trips through for best deals? This is a Carnival we might actually give a shot. How did it stack up to the Royal Caribbean Oasis or Quantum class?
I book through cruises.united.com in order to get a large number of United airlines frequent flyer miles as a bonus... which makes it possible for me to upgrade to First Class when I fly.
I loved Carnival Vista because of the Havana area, as described in this video. I also prefer Carnival's food situation to Royal's Oasis class.
Looks awesome. a) do you think there's an optimal area to be in Havana but to get away from the thumping bass?? That would drive me crazy. b) how do you like havana vs. Haven? I guess that haven gives you access to certain exclusive spa areas, but not havana?
The imax looks neat. Would be nice if it was free, but I could still see us doing a nighttime movie over there.
I know you love your American style breakfast. I love the juevos rancheros and arepas at Blue Iguana--and there's pretty much no line to get them. I think it's too 'ethnic' for most of the crowd. On the last morning of our Carnival cruises, we get like 4 or 6 arepas , put them into ziplocs, and savor for the next few days.
I would say the least noisy Havana cabins are probably 5206 through 5220 and 5203 through 5219. They are farther away from the Havana bar than our cabin was, but not too close to Ocean Plaza and the elevators.
On the Carnival Horizon, where they will have more Havana cabins than the Carnival Vista does, I'd be looking at the aft-facing balcony cabins on decks 8 and above. I would think those would have enough space between them and the Havana bar to not have much of a noise problem. And they also would have a real balcony with no walkway between their balcony and the edge of the ship. When/if I do book a cruise on the Carnival Horizon, I think it's a safe bet you'll find me in one of those aft-facing balcony cabins overlooking the Havana area, possibly in a corner-wrap cabin, rather than on deck 5. I think I'd be willing to not have the beautiful, large bathroom and shower of the Havana Suite to have one of those Havana cabins overlooking the Havana area. But not on Vista, as the only aft-facing Havana cabins are on deck 6, right above that noisy Havana bar!
Regarding the question of Carnival's Havana area versus Norwegian's Haven... please see my response to the question by Tony Antonio.
It would never work to have the IMAX movies be free. You would have 4600 passengers all trying to fit in to a theater holding maybe 300 people. Practically speaking, they have to charge for admission, just to keep it from being a crowded mess like the comedy shows sometimes can be. The price to see an IMAX movie was roughly the same as seeing a non-IMAX movie in my town. It seemed to be a completely fair price to me. I have no complaints on that one.
Man I’m going on sat, what movies were in the imax?
"It", "American Made" (with Tom Cruise), and "Kingsman: The Golden Circle"
My cruise was about three weeks ago, so the movies could have changed by now.
American made was a great movie
we just came back from new years cruise on vista best ship but it didnt have the elevator thing why
Evan p - I’m going on a NYE Cruise this year. Any tips & highlights you would like to share?
DESTINATION DISPATCH?!?!?!!?! THEY DIDN'T HAVE THAT WHEN I WENT
How much money does it cost for the WiFi cost for a full week on carnival
www.carnival.com/FunShops/internet-plans
I heard they have removed the swings. Not sure how true that is. Maybe it is just on the Horizon.
gardenia1953 I just back from a cruise on the Vista and they are still there
When he said Havana me and my sister were like HAVANA OH NANA HE TOOK ME. ACK TO EAST ALANTA OH NA NA YEA
Is the Havana Pool an adult only pool/area?
No one under the age of 12 can be booked in a Havana cabin. Plus, the Havana pool area is very quiet and very relaxed... kids in that 12+ age group simply don't want to hang out at the Havana pool, they want to be at Carnival Waterworks.
Jim Zimmerlin - very true! My kids will be 17 & 14 when we want to sail on it so it’s good to know they can stay in the cabin and have the option to enjoy the amenities it has to offer.
will carnaval pomona be like this
I'm guessing you meant Carnival Panorama, the ship that will be coming to the west coast. Yes, they will be nearly identical, with just a few little differences. Carnival Panorama is a Vista-class ship.
Looks nice but I don't think it has the eye candy like the bigger pools
Oh man I wish I had these things to complain about
Then after 7pm anybody can use Havana area😊
Nope... not anymore. That was true for a while when the Vista-class ships first came out, but sometime in 2019 Carnival decided that was a mistake and now the area is for Havana-area guests only, 24/7.
They should have a curtain across the patio for some outside privacy.
I think that would be problematic in windy conditions. But I agree with your general premise that it would be cool if there was some way to make those patios more like cabanas, so that there could be a privacy option.
Could just be folding solid doors, like French doors on a patio. Problem solved. Really like your videos. Thanks.
Is the horizon similar to the vista?
Yes, they are sister ships, with a few minor differences but the same basic layout. One of the biggest differences is that on the Horizon, all of the cabins at the far back end of the ship which look out over the Havana pool will actually have access to the Havana pool. On the Vista, the cabins on the highest decks overlooking the Havana pool are not considered Havana cabins and do not have access to the Havana pool area.
I am going on both this year. I will be on Vista in August and Horizon in December
The privacy at the cabana is a joke
Burntburgers why?
I just got off of Vista this passed Sunday. The food in the Reflections was horrible. It was served cold and did not taste good. Needs a new Chef. Breakfast and coffee should be open at 6 a.m. Check-in for dining on one floor and had to go up the stairs to wait. Excursions day was chaos. No leadership. Everyone received a card to be in the lounge at 8 a.m. when we originally knew it should be 8:45. People waited in lines formed by themselves and not a crew member in sight for 1.5 hours. Christmas Day in Reflections took 1.5 hours to receive our entree. The last 4 nights made private dining reservations in their paid restaurants which was so much better. Food and Service was the main disappointment. Our bathroom did not have an outlet. Wished their was a grand entrance gorgeous interior. Would not go on Vista again, and maybe a Carnival.
Jim, i love your videos. Can u please check out my top 10 steam locomotive video? It will mean to world to me.
Cool video... but what was the source of all those photos? Looks like a whole lot of copyrighted material was "borrowed" without permission to create your video. As a photographer who has had many of his pictures "borrowed" without permission or compensation over the years, I hate to see that kind of thing happen. As a general rule, if you didn't shoot the photo yourself, you don't have permission to use it unless you have a signed release from the photographer or copyright owner. Sorry for the lecture, but that's what jumps out at me in the video. People think that if they see a photo on a web site somewhere, and if their web browser allows them to right click on the photo and save it, that it's OK to use that photo however they want. But in reality, that's just a dishonest disregard for copyright law.
Alright. Lol. Im 14 and i just got those photos off google images. Thanks for the tip though, you made a really good point.
Umm.. a little more expensive? ha.. how about a LOT more expensive, double or more
That's not true.
I did a mock booking for the January 13, 2009 sailing of the Carnival Vista and balcony cabins started at $689 per person and Havana cabins started at $754 per person.
Havana balcony?
Currently a regular cabin is $299 and the Havana is $750
I have never understood why people would book a balcony, this is coming from actually staying in a balcony room. I'm a person that loves to explore and stay out all night and especially paying the fares you pay for those rooms why in the world would you want to stay in your room? For me unless you are doing a 10-14+ day cruise that is the only reason I would book a balcony. It's not worth it in my opinion are they nice but the balcony we had on my first cruise I stepped out on to it maybe a total of 10 minutes was not impressed and it wasn't even worth the extra premium. If you want to view the ocean just go to the top deck at night it's free and usually no one are around to bother you other than the occasional drifters at night and it's a relaxing place to fall asleep to the hum of the motors at night.
Urrrggh, the cons (for the ship) are a bust for me ... so I guess no Carnival for me then!
You need a bigger microphone
How about us non Havana peasants
If you do what you loved about Carnival Panorama I know what 1 will be
Havana
Cruises are a waste of money unless you are very wealthy. So many other things to spend hard earned money on.
goofyfoot2001 - really? I certainly love them! You spend about the same and have less of a worry on a cruise. I feel you actually get the chance to relax.
Untrue. Cruises can be very affordable. You have to know how to search.
anamarieus - SO true!!!
Wrong! When you plan your vacay you will enjoy it
Not true at all. I've priced a 7 day cruise vs. traveling to a location for 7 days, and when you factor in hotel, food, and travel, cruises are WAAAAY cheaper.