Add me to the list of DCL cruisers that loved the Carnival Vista

[Ofinn]

I just did a Vista vs. Fantasy comparison just strictly on pricing, and it was pretty interesting. They actually are fairly comparable. For the same week and same route in 2017 (same type cabin, family of four), the Vista came out to avg about 1500 per person whereas Fantasy was about 1800 per person.

We are paying 3,200 for a family harbor room on May 20 an 8 day cruise. You really notice the savings with 4 people in a room. The Fantasy would cost around 6-7k for us on a 7 day cruise. Carnival does not charge very much for the 3rd and 4th passenger in a room therefore making it a lot cheaper for families. I hear a lot of people say that there's not that big a difference in price between DCl and other lines, but those are usually people booking for two.

 

[Ofinn]

So a family of four would save $1,200?

No you would probably save around 4k that's what I'm saving.

 

[Ofinn]

I just did a Vista vs. Fantasy comparison just strictly on pricing, and it was pretty interesting. They actually are fairly comparable. For the same week and same route in 2017 (same type cabin, family of four), the Vista came out to avg about 1500 per person whereas Fantasy was about 1800 per person.

So a family of four would save $1,200?

Ok so I had to go back and look at my reservation on the Vista. The first 2 passengers in the room cost 1279.00 the third and 4th passengers 179.00. Total cost with taxes the 3,375. The Fantasy same day May 20 Ocean view rooms start at 7,200 for the four of us. That's is almost 4k more. Insane IMHO. It's also one day shorter and the Vista is a Southern Caribbean with better ports. So there is your cost comparison for a family of four.

 

[kaseyC]

@Ofinn, so glad you enjoyed your Vista cruise. Like you, our family was so impressed with our Vista 10 night Med cruise this summer. Welcome back!

 

[Neptune's Fork]

Your examples there would be more of what I would expect. I've found the general difference in price to be Carnival runs about 50%-60% of what DCL price is. The example I looked at were two balcony rooms on an eastern Caribbean iten., so not sure if that makes a difference.

 

[mcd2745]

Appreciate this review. We've been looking at the Vista - a lot - and will very possibly book it for Feb 2018 since out DCL placeholder is expiring literally one or two days before the day we're looking to sail. I have a question about the family harbor room. We'll almost definitely choose one of those rooms if/when we book Vista. I thought only the family harbor suites had the DCL-style split bathrooms. You had that in a regular ocean-view? Also, the food by the pool (Guy's burgers, the pizza), are those included or upcharge?

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Appreciate this review. We've been looking at the Vista - a lot - and will very possibly book it for Feb 2018 since out DCL placeholder is expiring literally one or two days before the day we're looking to sail. I have a question about the family harbor room. We'll almost definitely choose one of those rooms if/when we book Vista. I thought only the family harbor suites had the DCL-style split bathrooms. You had that in a regular ocean-view? Also, the food by the pool (Guy's burgers, the pizza), are those included or upcharge?

There are rooms called Deluxe Ocean View with the split bathroom also (these rooms are on Vista, Breeze, Magic, Dream). They are located on decks 1 and 2. The FH OV rooms have this configuration automatically and are only on deck 2 (Vista only but will probably be on the new Horizon too).

Guy's Burgers, Blue Iguana and pizza are included. The only up charge pool food is from the Seafood Shack on Vista only at this time. There are other up charge restaurants for dinner but are free for lunch (Cucina Capitano, JiJi's Asian).

 

[Disneymadhouse]

Thanks for the detailed review. We very, very nearly booked to go on Vista for our August 2016 holiday .... but Disney Magic pulled us back, despite the cost! At this time the shows, characters and pools really make our holiday. From the research I did I understand that Vista pools are all salt water, which is a pet hate of mine! I do think we may look at Vista again in a few years when DD is older.

Claire

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Appreciate this review. We've been looking at the Vista - a lot - and will very possibly book it for Feb 2018 since out DCL placeholder is expiring literally one or two days before the day we're looking to sail. I have a question about the family harbor room. We'll almost definitely choose one of those rooms if/when we book Vista. I thought only the family harbor suites had the DCL-style split bathrooms. You had that in a regular ocean-view? Also, the food by the pool (Guy's burgers, the pizza), are those included or upcharge?

As an FYI for those interested - all of the Carnival Dream class ships (Dream, Magic, and Breeze) have family oceanview cabins with the split bathrooms. These cabins sleep 5 with 2 twin beds, 1 couch bed, and 2 bunks (one over the couch and one over the regular beds). These are not suites and are quite spacious.

 

[Ofinn]

There are rooms called Deluxe Ocean View with the split bathroom also (these rooms are on Vista, Breeze, Magic, Dream). They are located on decks 1 and 2. The FH OV rooms have this configuration automatically and are only on deck 2 (Vista only but will probably be on the new Horizon too).

Guy's Burgers, Blue Iguana and pizza are included. The only up charge pool food is from the Seafood Shack on Vista only at this time. There are other up charge restaurants for dinner but are free for lunch (Cucina Capitano, JiJi's Asian).

I didnt realize those restaraunts were free for lunch. We had so few chances to eat lunch on the ship anyway. Very busy trip. It reminded me of our 10 day trips to WDW. Im ready for a 7 day cruise to no where.

 

[Ofinn]

Thanks for the detailed review. We very, very nearly booked to go on Vista for our August 2016 holiday .... but Disney Magic pulled us back, despite the cost! At this time the shows, characters and pools really make our holiday. From the research I did I understand that Vista pools are all salt water, which is a pet hate of mine! I do think we may look at Vista again in a few years when DD is older.

Claire

Nobody does kids better than Disney. My kids have never really been into Disney charachters so that really wasnt missed for us.

 

[Ofinn]

Your examples there would be more of what I would expect. I've found the general difference in price to be Carnival runs about 50%-60% of what DCL price is. The example I looked at were two balcony rooms on an eastern Caribbean iten., so not sure if that makes a difference.

The big difference is 2 people in a room vs 4. It may have also been the week you picked.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

I didnt realize those restaraunts were free for lunch. We had so few chances to eat lunch on the ship anyway. Very busy trip. It reminded me of our 10 day trips to WDW. Im ready for a 7 day cruise to no where.

The menus aren't the same. The cucina is a build your own pasta bowl and they include Caesar salad and garlic bread and JiJi is a Mongolion wok. The lines for the wok were ridiculous (like an hour wait). We never did eat there. I could live on the tacos from Blue Iguana though!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I just did a Vista vs. Fantasy comparison just strictly on pricing, and it was pretty interesting. They actually are fairly comparable. For the same week and same route in 2017 (same type cabin, family of four), the Vista came out to avg about 1500 per person whereas Fantasy was about 1800 per person.

That is interesting. My 8 night southern Caribbean for 4 of us in 2 insides for the first week of June is $5200 including insurance and gratuity. The 10 night southern Caribbean on the Fantasy was about $10,000, (not including grats), for 2 insides when I looked on opening day. We decided to book the 6 night Western on the Vista as well, for a 14 night B2B for a grand total of $10,000.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

The menus aren't the same. The cucina is a build your own pasta bowl and they include Caesar salad and garlic bread and JiJi is a Mongolion wok. The lines for the wok were ridiculous (like an hour wait). We never did eat there. I could live on the tacos from Blue Iguana though!

In my opinion you didn't miss a whole lot at JiJi's for lunch. Cucina, on the other hand was my go to for lunch, I absolutely loved the pasta bowls. I seriously could have lived on Cucina, Blue Iguana, Guys burgers and the pizza on that ship.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I told you the Vista is amazing @Ofinn

 

[kaseyC]

In my opinion you didn't miss a whole lot at JiJi's for lunch. Cucina, on the other hand was my go to for lunch, I absolutely loved the pasta bowls. I seriously could have lived on Cucina, Blue Iguana, Guys burgers and the pizza on that ship.

My girls still talk about Guy's Burgers. I seriously crave Blue Iguana's breakfast burrito with a side of watermelon salsa!! So yummy!

 

[trvlgirlmq]

In my opinion you didn't miss a whole lot at JiJi's for lunch. Cucina, on the other hand was my go to for lunch, I absolutely loved the pasta bowls. I seriously could have lived on Cucina, Blue Iguana, Guys burgers and the pizza on that ship.

We have been on Breeze twice so we already knew what to expect. My mom and niece love the wok but chose not to wait. I am not a big fan of cucina and with all the great pasta we had in Europe we didn't need to venture there this time My DS had Guy's every day we had lunch on the ship. He's a growing boy though.

Looking forward to Horizon and anxiously stalking port calendars but nothing yet. Itineraries should be released by the first week of December according to JH on his FB page.

 

[Ofinn]

We have been on Breeze twice so we already knew what to expect. My mom and niece love the wok but chose not to wait. I am not a big fan of cucina and with all the great pasta we had in Europe we didn't need to venture there this time My DS had Guy's every day we had lunch on the ship. He's a growing boy though.

Looking forward to Horizon and anxiously stalking port calendars but nothing yet. Itineraries should be released by the first week of December according to JH on his FB page.

My 12 year old ate 2 or 3 day, and hes still skinny. If I did that I'd gain a pound a day.
Im hoping for a Baltic cruise on the Horizon. I really prefered the Northern European ports on our last cruise over this one. I wasnt a big fan of Italy or sicilily with trash everywhere. Very dirty cities, people were not friendly or helpful. Very pushy worse then the Caribbean. I also got the impression they dont like Americans. Greece on the other hand was lovely. Yes Athens is covered with graffitti, but everyone was super friendly. Everyone spoke English. Very welcoming country. Loved Rhodes. I would love to do a greek isles cruise. I know a lot of people love Italy, but I came away disappointed. Loved Malta and Marseille was very nice.

 

[Love2Cruz]

Just so you all know...most of the Vista eateries are also available on the Dream class ships and most of the Conquest class ships...although not all so you have to check. I encourage you to try the Dream class ships, especially the Breeze. I like the Conquest class ships too, though they are a bit dated, but the food, service and prices still can't be beat.