The Carnival Vista is a ship that keeps the company in the fierce fight to offer the most fun and gastronomic cruises on board.
Carnival Cruises has been the largest cruise line for decades, and is often credited with inventing the modern concept of tourist cruises, but, stuck to two types of hull since the mid-90s, it has found it increasingly difficult to compete with other cruise lines that have developed new ship designs to accommodate an ever-increasing number of restaurants and leisure facilities on board.
The Carnival Vista is an evolution of the Dream class, which was itself an evolution of the Conquest class, which in turn was an evolution of the Triumph class. As such, it retains the same design flaws: an inconvenient restaurant in the middle of Deck 3 and labyrinthine side passageways on the interior decks that make it difficult for passengers to find their way around. Even so, it has managed to adapt to new market demands, offering several alternative restaurants and a diverse range of daytime and nighttime entertainment, including special touches for its most discerning guests.
The Carnival Vista maintains the bow area as the Serenity relaxation zone, leaving behind the noise and excitement of the large water slides that dominate the main pool area. The thrill-seeking activities are arranged around the funnel, with the SkyCourse treetop adventure park and the innovative SkyRide suspended bicycle circuit, which runs practically along the ship's side at a considerable height above sea level.
The buffet is pleasant and bright, although it features linear food counters, so queues are common during peak hours. However, the four specialty food corners are a highlight. Guy's Burger Joint offers delicious burgers, Blue Iguana Cantina serves tasty tacos and burritos, Seafood Shack offers shrimp, crab, and lobster (for a fee), and Pizzeria del Capitano is open 24 hours.
Inside, the main atrium stands out with its enormous LED column, capable of transforming the ambiance with its various color patterns. It's a spacious and luminous atrium with a platform for a DJ or a small group of musicians, as well as a dance floor, and this space is often used for impromptu parties.
The decor of the two-story Horizons restaurant aft features earth-toned wood and ochre textiles, contrasted with blue carpeting and carefully designed lighting. The result is very elegant and inviting, although it's noteworthy that tablecloths aren't used; we don't know if this is for aesthetic, environmental, or economic reasons. The cuisine has undoubtedly taken a leap forward on the Carnival Vista, which boasts several alternative restaurants such as the formal Fahrenheit Steakhouse, the Japanese Bonsai Sushi, the Italian La Cucina del Capitano, and the Asian Ji Ji Asian Kitchen, in addition to the Cuban tapas at Havana Club.
The Havana Club is the true revolution of the Carnival Vista, a multifunctional space aft on deck 5 that serves as a private club for Havana Cabana guests until 5 p.m. The Havana Cabana cabins are a new concept with a spacious terrace in a semi-private area, although privacy isn't exactly their strong suit. The Havana Club boasts an inviting outdoor area with a pool and jacuzzis overlooking the ship's wake. At night, this terrace is the perfect spot for an al fresco drink, while Latin rhythms fill the indoor dance floor and the party gets going. Undoubtedly, when the ship is based in Miami, the Havana Club will be a huge success, although it's already proving popular in Europe.
There's a wide array of bars and lounges to suit every taste, from the lively Piano Bar to the Limelight Lounge comedy club, not to mention the sports bar and the Alchemy cocktail bar. English-speaking audiences can enjoy an IMAX theater and a Thrill Theater where the latest film releases are shown, and both children and teenagers have access to spacious and modern facilities.
The Carnival Vista scores highly in its adaptation to current tastes, offering a comprehensive range of leisure, dining, and entertainment options. However, Carnival Cruise Line prides itself on being a purely American company, and there are no language adaptations whatsoever for passengers who don't speak English. There's no daily program, no menus, and not even European TV channels. Nevertheless, for those with at least a basic understanding of English, it's a product with a very good price-to-quality ratio.
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